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KENNETH KRUZEL Obituary
(KRUZELNOSKI) March 5, 1950 - June 24, 2025
With heavy hearts, we share that our father, Kenneth (Kenny) Kruzel, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with his loving wife and family by his side. After years of battling cancer and ongoing health struggles, he left this world the way he lived in it surrounded by love, and unwavering strength.
He met our mom, Shirley Karasiewicz, when they were only 11 years old. Their love story began in childhood and turned into a lifelong partnership. Their time together was unmeasurable; years filled with devotion, laughter, and family. Mom selflessly took such good care of him right up until his last breath.
Through his youth, he proudly served as an altar boy at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He was honoured to be named valedictorian at his Grade 8 graduation and later during high school at St. Pat's, he regularly wrote editorials for the Chronicle Journal, sparking a lifelong passion for writing. He went on to contribute poetry, articles, and songs to a variety of publications. Music was also central to his life he played and sang regularly at local venues and recorded numerous tracks. But his greatest role began with fatherhood. He traded bar gigs for kitchen jam sessions, and those Saturday night sing-alongs with him are some of our most cherished memories. Music was always in our home but more than that, so was love, laughter, and the safety of knowing that Dai would always be there. From a young age that is what we called him, Dai, which is what we still call him to this day. He filled our lives with "dad jokes" and witty one-liners, the latest news updates, and instilled in us to be kind to one another.
In our younger years, Dad worked for the Great Lakes Paper Mill, and later as a letter carrier with Canada Post. When his health started failing, he became a stay-at-home dad and enjoyed time being home with family as well as with his nieces Erin and Brittney Buchowsky, who were very special to him. He was later able to spend all his time with his grandchildren whom he absolutely adored. He showed up for everything he could, and when he could not, he wanted to know every detail. Several of his granddaughters live a distance away but he cherished every visit they had. His bond with Amber, his oldest granddaughter, was incredibly special. She was his sidekick, his sunshine, and brought him so much joy and comfort, especially in these last difficult years. He was also blessed to have the help of Amber's boyfriend Aaron Larabie who was always there when needed.
Dad was truly one of the kindest souls. He was not just our father he was our friend, teacher, and our biggest fan. He was the family mediator, always encouraging everyone to "just get along." His absence leaves a tremendous void, but we find peace in knowing his love will never leave us. It is in the music, the memories, the stories, and the laughter we share when we talk about him. The past decade brought immense physical challenges, but family time remained a source of deep joy for him, even as those visits became more difficult.
Dad is survived by our mom, Shirley; son Jaret Kruzel (Sanija); daughter Carilee Kruzel (Keith); grandchildren Amber, Helena, Aldiyana, Bryson, and Marisa; his sister June Watson; great-aunt Theresa Furick; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Helen and Thomas Kruzel; nephew Ryan Kruzel; sister Eleanor Syrek; and brother Tom Kruzel.
A special thank you to Dr. Simpson, Dr. Edwards, home nurse Kathleen, and nurses Kenzie and Michelle on 3B at TBRHSC, who have been so supportive.
Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
With heavy hearts, we share that our father, Kenneth (Kenny) Kruzel, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, with his loving wife and family by his side. After years of battling cancer and ongoing health struggles, he left this world the way he lived in it surrounded by love, and unwavering strength.
He met our mom, Shirley Karasiewicz, when they were only 11 years old. Their love story began in childhood and turned into a lifelong partnership. Their time together was unmeasurable; years filled with devotion, laughter, and family. Mom selflessly took such good care of him right up until his last breath.
Through his youth, he proudly served as an altar boy at St. Patrick's Cathedral. He was honoured to be named valedictorian at his Grade 8 graduation and later during high school at St. Pat's, he regularly wrote editorials for the Chronicle Journal, sparking a lifelong passion for writing. He went on to contribute poetry, articles, and songs to a variety of publications. Music was also central to his life he played and sang regularly at local venues and recorded numerous tracks. But his greatest role began with fatherhood. He traded bar gigs for kitchen jam sessions, and those Saturday night sing-alongs with him are some of our most cherished memories. Music was always in our home but more than that, so was love, laughter, and the safety of knowing that Dai would always be there. From a young age that is what we called him, Dai, which is what we still call him to this day. He filled our lives with "dad jokes" and witty one-liners, the latest news updates, and instilled in us to be kind to one another.
In our younger years, Dad worked for the Great Lakes Paper Mill, and later as a letter carrier with Canada Post. When his health started failing, he became a stay-at-home dad and enjoyed time being home with family as well as with his nieces Erin and Brittney Buchowsky, who were very special to him. He was later able to spend all his time with his grandchildren whom he absolutely adored. He showed up for everything he could, and when he could not, he wanted to know every detail. Several of his granddaughters live a distance away but he cherished every visit they had. His bond with Amber, his oldest granddaughter, was incredibly special. She was his sidekick, his sunshine, and brought him so much joy and comfort, especially in these last difficult years. He was also blessed to have the help of Amber's boyfriend Aaron Larabie who was always there when needed.
Dad was truly one of the kindest souls. He was not just our father he was our friend, teacher, and our biggest fan. He was the family mediator, always encouraging everyone to "just get along." His absence leaves a tremendous void, but we find peace in knowing his love will never leave us. It is in the music, the memories, the stories, and the laughter we share when we talk about him. The past decade brought immense physical challenges, but family time remained a source of deep joy for him, even as those visits became more difficult.
Dad is survived by our mom, Shirley; son Jaret Kruzel (Sanija); daughter Carilee Kruzel (Keith); grandchildren Amber, Helena, Aldiyana, Bryson, and Marisa; his sister June Watson; great-aunt Theresa Furick; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Helen and Thomas Kruzel; nephew Ryan Kruzel; sister Eleanor Syrek; and brother Tom Kruzel.
A special thank you to Dr. Simpson, Dr. Edwards, home nurse Kathleen, and nurses Kenzie and Michelle on 3B at TBRHSC, who have been so supportive.
Cremation has taken place, and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal on Jul. 12, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for KENNETH KRUZEL
1 Entry
Rick Malo...Sudbury
July 14, 2025
Fondly remembering a childhood friend. What were "garage bands" for.... except for making lots of noise. Fun times. R.I.P. Ken.
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